Hi Cherry: I
am a senior 4-H member looking for answers to the following questions: 1.
What are the primary responsibilities of a barn manager in a normal day of 5-10
horses at home (not competing)? This needs to include a schedule of known responsibilities
and possible . Feed, clean stalls
and pens, turn out for exercise, check blankets or sheets, be aware of condition
of , notice abnormal behavior. For
safety, check the turn out areas for wires, boards, nails; be sure horses are
not turned out with or across from a horse that will kick or bite. Health
- be sure horses always have clean free , always feed on schedule and make any
changes in type of amount of feed gradual. 2.
Managing a stable with professional standards is more than simply mucking stalls
feeding. What are the top five priorities for presenting a barn to clients and
students.? Be professional yet
courteous and friendly.
Be safe.
Have concern for horse's welfare.
Pay attention to details of barn, stall and pen maintenance.
Make specific
time for visitors, then , don't be working while you are giving them a tour. 3.
How do you orient a new employee who does not have advanced horse skills? Start
with very simple tasks that don't involve horses and allow the new employee to
achieve success and confidence with them and learn about you and the other barn
employees. Show the new employee
the entire operation and let them know that they can move into other areas as
soon as their skills develop. Each
week try , give him or her one new responsibility to keep his or her interest
- don't make a new employee feel their future is only with a fork in their hand. 4.
In a show jumping/eventing - type stable, what type of tack and equipment is used
most frequently for schooling and why? Saddle
blankets and pads, boots and , martingales, nosebands, bridles, crops/whips.
5. Not being familiar with preparing a horse
for an -style horse show, what do you imagine are the priorities in presenting/turning
out the horses you care for? Attention
to detail is very important. Your employer will let you know his or her "pet
peeves" such as: "Hooves
must be picked out and wiped the last thing before I mount" or "Be
sure you offer the horse a drink of water just before I go into the warm up ring"
or "Meet me at the in gate
with a damp cloth, etc. to give the horse a last minute touch up". A
groom's job getting a horse ready to present at a show is a huge and complex job
- your actual checklist will be developed by your employer. 
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